Giving

With my cab unavailable this week I've taken the opportunity to get away for a few days up the Coast. Arriving in Port Macquarie early on Tuesday evening I noticed groups of young teenagers walking along the roads, causing me to use high beam to safely pass. The fact they nearly all wore black was no help to motorists either.

After mentioning this to my girlfriend I was informed the kids were observing Halloween. Yes, for many kids in this regional town the American custom is now an annual ritual.

Last year she had a couple of young kids knock on the door requesting a 'trick or treat'. A few minutes after politely refusing she heard a commotion on the street. The begging kids had been mugged by other kids for their goodies, leaving one kid with a broken nose and making local media and police reports. What can one say ?

ON a lighter note, check out this hilarious Halloween post by Irishman, Twenty Major.

‘Samhuinn’ (pronounced ‘sow-en’) was the most important of the ‘fire festivals’ of the ancient Celts. It’s said it marked the Celtic New Year. Down the line a bit, the Western Christian calendar changed the original festival of ‘Samhuinn’ into ‘All Saints’ Day’. The Celts commenced every day at sunset of the previous night. ‘Samhuinn’ eventually became the modern ‘Halloween’. The history of Halloween is very interesting and intriguing.

I guess I can see why Halloween has spread from here. American cultural imperialism will have truly become unstoppable if you guys Down Under start having big turkey dinners on the 4th Thursday of November.

On the other hand, Cinco de Mayo, the big Mexican holiday, has slowly been seeping into the American cultural fabric. Won't be long before its as big here as St. Patrick's Day.